Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2011
130 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourists that visit west Cork annually; the amount of traffic that uses the N71 at Roscarbery in any specified time frame of any recent study carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39248/11]
View answerWhile matters relating to Central Statistics Office (CSO) statistics are primarily for the Department of the Taoiseach, I understand that the CSO does not provide a regional breakdown of statistics in their monthly ‘Overseas Travel' publication. I am aware however, that the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, provides an estimated regional breakdown of overseas visits on an annual basis, based on research of its own as well as available CSO statistics. The most recent full year figures are for 2009 with provisional figures also available for 2010. The data is available, broken down on a regional and county basis, under Tourism Facts / Tourism Regions in the Research and Statistics section of the www.failteireland.ie website.
Using the data available to them, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with an estimate of the number of tourists who visit West Cork annually. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Activities such as traffic surveys on individual roads are a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
